Living in Balearics

Living in the Balearic Islands

With a population of just over 1 million, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca) have the greatest proportion of residents from the international community in the whole of Spain. Its temperate climate, good international schools and outdoor lifestyle have continually tempted families from Northern Europe as well as South America to relocate to its shores. Its mix of beautiful stretches of beach, hidden coves, rural interiors, lush mountains, beautiful old towns, award-winning cuisine and historic capitals from Palma to Ibiza Town makes for an enviable and arguably unrivalled lifestyle.

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic islands and has been a popular permanent destination for European citizens thanks to its stunning coastline, spectacular countryside, numerous idyllic bays, championship golf courses, beautiful marinas and a plethora of local and international restaurants. Mallorca is only a couple of hours’ flight from most of Europe and this accessibility combined with its natural beauty and climate make it one of Spain’s most popular destinations for investors looking to make a permanent move.  At the international schools, children receive lessons in English, Spanish and Catalan and they will also become acquainted with the local dialect of Mallorqui.

Menorca takes its name from being smaller than Mallorca (i.e. the Minor island) and has a population of around 90,000. The second largest of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is an island of great beauty and has been appointed a “Natural Reserve of the Biosphere” by UNESCO. Just two hours away by plane from main European destinations, only an hour away from Madrid and less than 30 minutes from Barcelona, Menorca is very well connected to mainland Europe both by air and sea.

Ibiza has, for many years, been renowned for its club culture, trendy bars and hippy hangouts. In recent years, however, more has been done to try to bring a more family-friendly feel to the island. Around 100,000 people live on Ibiza, although this figure can vary in census due to the number of unregistered immigrants living there. In August the total population of people living in Balearics can quadruple given its reputation as a hugely popular tourist hub. There are a huge mix of resident foreign nationalities – in the main German, British and Latin American but also Dutch, Italian and Morrocan which gives the island a truly cosmopolitan feel. This is reflected in the languages heard on the island – although the official languages are Spanish and Catalan, it is not unusual to hear English and German.

For more in-depth information about making the Balearic Islands your next home, visit our MumAbroad Ultimate Guide to Moving to Spain.

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